Category: To visit the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL ARTS is a must

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” – Soren Kierkegaard

I am that kind of soul who jerks when I hear the word “museum”, it meant beautiful things for me, it meant that I am allowed to take a peek of what was back in time, it meant travelling for me, it meant the feeling of a dancing soul.

If I have the opportunity to visit those I wanted and I can, I will. So when we get the chance to stay somewhere in Manila, our itinerary included the museums.

We visited the “National Museum of Natural Arts” one weekend. The six – leveled building recently opened officially to the public last May of 2018. It used to be the “Agriculture and Commerce building” before it became the seat of the “Department of Tourism”.

It boasts a Neo-classical facade including its’ over-all interiors, a type of architecture that focuses on simpler lines, huge columns and blank walls generating grandiose. A far cry of Rococo style which it preceded.

I found this artwork symbolizing classical facades of museums, and surprisingly it’s created by a kid. Photo source: https://www.metmuseum.org/blogsI just have this thing with doors. #thisthingwithdoors

The Designer of the building was a Filipino Architect: Antonio Toledo during the late 1930s. While the renovation was taken cared of Dominic Galicia Architects from the year 2015 to 2018.

It surprised us that upon arrival, there’s a long queue (people of all ages), and mostly are students. Another thing that was a surprise is that the entrance is free. I wondered where will they get the budget to maintain it, though it made me admire the government since this kind of perk enables more visitors to appreciate the museum and what it has to offer.

I noticed too that there are no leaflets or maps that were provided as a guide, so we were a bit lost as to where to go first. Like you can roam around the whole area as you please. There are usherettes stationed in some areas but not in all areas to guide you. We used the ramps to go the next level.

Ramps are with these pretty windows.

Enjoy the rich collection of the country’s flora and fauna, artifacts which some can only be found in the Philippines. I specifically targeted the hundreds of butterfly species kept intact, there’s a room filled with different species of trees which we weren’t able to visit because it was almost 5pm when we reached that floor, different kinds of minerals were also showcased, there is also a replica of the world’s largest crocodile (in captivity) popularly known as “Lolong”. I think he is one of the major attractions of this museum.

All that is gold does not glitter. ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

It’ll also bring you to the depths of the sea. =)

I’m in front of the submarine’s hull, though it isn’t yellow. =pNavigation area inside the submarine. “Apat na sikat” (An old meme that means “The Famous Four” =)

There are too many corners that are “Instagrammable”. =)

Staircases – one of my most favorite subjects.

Personally, what initially lured me is the white canopy with geometric designs that connects to the tube-like elevator that I later learned they called the “Tree of life”.

Giving natural light beautifully.

Find time to visit, it is literally a learning and rewarding experience. It is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm from Tuesday to Sunday and closes during Mondays.

The National Museum of Natural Arts along with the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology, and the National Planetarium which is known as the National Museum Complex located in Rizal Park, Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila.

A special corner is dedicated to our National Hero: Dr. Jose Rizal.

Jen’s tenacious to see the rest, she’s wanting to see the Spoliarium by Juan Luna. It is somewhere in the National Museum of Fine Arts. While I, itching to have a photo on the collections of Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo mounted on pink walls. =) Maybe one of these days. =)

Like this:

Hi! I’m Beaut!

They used to call me “Laguna girl”. I grew up in San Pedro, Laguna in the Southern part of the Philippines. An only daughter with an only son.Passionate with so many things. A lover of life itself. First is to write. I used to sing (I specifically love the stage), I read a lot,

I cook simple to challenging recipes for my loved ones, I travel to capture breathtaking pictures (inheriting my passion in Photography from my late father), a nature lover, I find rainbows, butterflies,

flowers,

rainbows and trees as God’s most beautiful gifts.

I love it that traveling allows me try and learn cuisines that are new to me (being a foodie) and I get to meet different people too.

I do abstract painting, I am a Craft enthusiast (quilting & scrap-booking), all of which are my own way of expressing my love for life and surround myself with anything but pretty.

Blogging makes me happy and I want to see if I’m going to click in that premise. Sharing anything that might benefit my circle and mankind too, specifically my fellow Filipinos here and abroad.

I’m a color devotee and been in love with the color purple or violet.

I like pink, red and teal too! =) I dreamt of joining that team who does colorful outdoor murals. Or anything that has to do with the Arts.

Coffee is my water,

and my comfort food are: blueberry cheesecake, frozen yogurt, sansrival and cream puff. I mastered fettuccine carbonara because it is my favorite, along broccoli with prawns and mushrooms.

I love “Stitch” – that grinning indigo pup and still in love with Daryl (remember those muscles in the series “The Walking Dead”).

I have a sort of vintage taste for Interior Designing, Gardening and Fashion (must be the gypsy in me). I am awed by it validating my wondering if I am an old soul.

Ultimately, I intend to be a not so famous Author someday. I’m just waiting for God’s time for my first book to be published.

Please drop by for a comment or two, you are always welcome here, come fly with me “On Purple Wings!”(–,)

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